Embra vs Connacht Sun 25/10

[robdinsdale]

What kind of team will we be putting out for this? Reckon we will be short in the back row and the back 3 with Hoyland injured.

[gowrie]

Gilchrist and Toolis unavailable really stretches the second row as well. Davidson and ?? Are any of Mckenzie/Carmichael/Hodgson fit? If we get one of them then we're still looking at Sykes on the bench, and potentially Darge and Boyle both starting.

Hard to even figure what a team could be:
1. Schoeman, 2. Cherry, 3. McCallum, 4. Hodgson, 5. Davidson, 6. Darge, 7. Boyle, 8. Bradbury
9. Groom, 10. Van der Walt, 11. Sau, 12. Taylor, 13. Bennett, 14. Farndale, 15. Brown?
16. Willemse, 17. Bhatti?, 18. Winning?, 19. Sykes, 20. Mann/Muncaster?, 21. Shiel, 22. Chamberlain, 23. Dean

Will Nel be available? Not even sure if some of these players are still even available to us

[robdinsdale]

Jaco to FB and Chamberlain starting? Or is that too radical for Cockers?

[TheSmidge]

Jaco to FB and Chamberlain starting? Or is that too radical for Cockers?

That's the only possibility within the boundaries of the current pro squad, unless, as suggested by Tom Brown makes a very surprising re-appearance from the 7s squad. I don't think he has been spotted in any training pictures, so I have my doubts about this even being an option.

[TheSmidge]

Will Nel be available? Not even sure if some of these players are still even available to us

Yes, he has been released back to play for us.

[dolf_lundgren]

that's a big help if we can get Tom Brown. It does seem a bit odd why Glasgow have signed a couple of players in the back row rather than take Ally Miller?

Not sure about the rest of the squad, but it would be interesting to see Max Macfarland get a run in 15s, also Sofolarin has been around the Glasgow squad so would be good to see what he can offer.

Back 3 players we are very light, I was particularly concerned about FB, but more relaxed if Brown can play.

[The Nudger]

How much could we do with Jono Lance right now?!

[JDCSR]

As much as getting a team out is going to be a struggle I'm really excited to get to some of the young Scottish players we have on the books. A lot of these guys shined at age grade level and plenty of players do break through at 20/21 so perhaps a Darge or a Hodgson could put down a real marker.

[robdinsdale]

As much as getting a team out is going to be a struggle I'm really excited to get to some of the young Scottish players we have on the books. A lot of these guys shined at age grade level and plenty of players do break through at 20/21 so perhaps a Darge or a Hodgson could put down a real marker.

Yes, it's a real opportunity for some of them. Mind you, I'm expecting Connacht to be quite strong this weekend so may be a real challenge for the team to get a result even if the kids show up well.

[toocoldhere]

Connacht are as depleted as us

In a test of their resources they will be without Bundee Aki, the only Connacht player named in Andy Farrell’s starting XV, and also Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham and Ultan Dillane who are on the bench. And although halfbacks Jack Carty and Kieran Marmion, and lock Quinn Roux, with a shoulder injury, miss out, they remain unavailable to Friend while in the Irish setup.

As a result Connacht’s second row resources have been reduced to one with Gavin Thornbury being the only fit lock available. Both Cillian Gallagher and Niall Murray are recovering from recent surgeries, while Óisín Dowling, who has yet to feature since moving to Connacht, is still unavailable with a back injury.

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/ ... -1.4387350

[robdinsdale]

Connacht are as depleted as us

In a test of their resources they will be without Bundee Aki, the only Connacht player named in Andy Farrell’s starting XV, and also Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham and Ultan Dillane who are on the bench. And although halfbacks Jack Carty and Kieran Marmion, and lock Quinn Roux, with a shoulder injury, miss out, they remain unavailable to Friend while in the Irish setup.

As a result Connacht’s second row resources have been reduced to one with Gavin Thornbury being the only fit lock available. Both Cillian Gallagher and Niall Murray are recovering from recent surgeries, while Óisín Dowling, who has yet to feature since moving to Connacht, is still unavailable with a back injury.

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/ ... -1.4387350

In that case, let's have 'em.

I actually thought that they had more non-Irish players than they do. I guess Butler just stands out.

[TheSmidge]

Reckon we could be going with something like:

1. Schoemann
2. Cherry
3. Nel
4. Ferreira
5. Davidson
6. Kunavula
7. Boyle
8. Bradbury
9. Groom
10. Chamberlain
11. Farndale
12. Taylor
13. Bennett
14. Sau
15. VDW

16. Willemse
17. Bhatti
18. McCallum
19. Sykes
20. Darge
21. Nutton
22. Dean
23. Johnstone

[robdinsdale]

Reckon we could be going with something like:

1. Schoemann
2. Cherry
3. Nel
4. Ferreira
5. Davidson
6. Kunavula
7. Boyle
8. Bradbury
9. Groom
10. Chamberlain
11. Farndale
12. Taylor
13. Bennett
14. Sau
15. VDW

16. Willemse
17. Bhatti
18. McCallum
19. Sykes
20. Darge
21. Nutton
22. Dean
23. Johnstone

I thought Kunavula was with Fiji.

[TheSmidge]

Reckon we could be going with something like:

1. Schoemann
2. Cherry
3. Nel
4. Ferreira
5. Davidson
6. Kunavula
7. Boyle
8. Bradbury
9. Groom
10. Chamberlain
11. Farndale
12. Taylor
13. Bennett
14. Sau
15. VDW

16. Willemse
17. Bhatti
18. McCallum
19. Sykes
20. Darge
21. Nutton
22. Dean
23. Johnstone

I thought Kunavula was with Fiji.

I'm not sure that Fiji are in camp yet, as Cotter is coaching the BaaBaas (if the game goes ahead) with quite a few of his squad with him.

[TheSmidge]

Kunavula is also in the training pictures posted a short time ago.

As is Pyrgos, which might mean he is in line to return.